I was wondering if anybody had any recommendations on how to clean the rails on fastrack.
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The track cleaning eraser in Lionels maintenance kit works well for stubborn areas. Otherwise 91% isopropyl alcohol on a paper towel works great.
I watched a video and someone used automatic transmission fluid. They spread it on only an inch or so and when the train goes over it it spreads it to the rest or the rails. Has anyone used this method
So then you end up with a layer of transmission fluid on you track, how does that clean it? Not to mention trans fluid can't be good for traction tires.
There are numerous track cleaning threads if you do a forum search. There really is no point in "reinventing the wheel".
At the end of the day its an alcohol that you want to use. They leave the track clean and dry, with no leftover residue. I use isopropyl as I stated, because its been a recommended cleaner for electronics like cds dvds and tape heads for decades.
The other recommended alcohol is denatured alcohol, I believe MTH recommends this specifically for their products. It works well, I do not care for the strong odor that is why I prefer the isopropyl.
An easy approach to cleaning track is RickO's rubbing alcohol poured onto a common blackboard eraser, NOT SATURATED though. Then simply wipe the rails down. Don't put on so much alcohol on the eraser that it runs down onto the plastic base. While it won't quickly dissolve or harm it, long time soaking in it would be bad for most any plastic. The grooves on the eraser can be slid along the rail to wipe the sides. The alcohol evaporates quickly, and the eraser holds the dust, grease, smoke residue (oily junk) and lubricant that may have dripped off an engine or operating car.
I'd suggest looking in some of your local dollar stores for these chalk board erasers. They are cheap enough to be disposable once you determine they leave more dirt behind than they pickup!
